Search form

For Immediate Release

Improving New England Groundfishery Management

WASHINGTON - Today, on the opening day of the fishing season in the Northeast, the Center for American Progress released “The Future of America’s First Fishery: Improving Management of the New England Groundfishery” by Michael Conathan. This report outlines the steps necessary to improve management of the groundfishery, begin to repair relationships among the disparate stakeholder groups, and ensure the system can continue to build on the improvements made in its first two years, particularly in light of federal budget constraints and new challenges involving scientific review of fisheries and data collection.

Consumers are becoming ever more educated about their seafood—trying to balance factors such as local sourcing, environmental impacts of different fishing gear, mercury and heavy metal content, and overall sustainability. Thus, stabilizing one of the world's most productive fisheries is of interest to more people than ever before. The New England groundfishery is the oldest fishery in the nation, and arguably the most in jeopardy of falling into further dramatic decline.

As managers and fishermen look to stem the ebb of jobs and economic activity from this fishery while sustaining the fish stocks that support it, recommendations outlined in this report provide a blueprint for a path forward. They include:

Direct new personnel being hired to fill regional leadership positions within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s, or NOAA, northeast region to set as their highest priority the reconstruction of relationships with the fishing industry and other fishery stakeholders.

Heighten collaboration between fishermen and scientists to improve data collection and analysis, building a greater understanding of the scientific process and the fishermen’s experience, providing more accurate assessments of fish populations, and reducing the uncertainty that may artificially reduce total allowable catches.

Analyze the validity of some fishermen’s concerns about consolidation in the sector management system and address them as necessary, including through exploration and development of permit banks by NOAA and New England’s fishery management council, to ensure that a geographically diverse group of fishermen retain fishery access.

The new sector management system initiated in 2010 represents the best hope for the future of this historic fishery. The system has its limitations, and improvements are undoubtedly necessary. While there is near-universal distaste for a return to the old system of management—a system where fishing was controlled by limiting the number of days per year fishermen were allowed to fish—no other viable alternative has emerged, even from those who suggest sector management will result in hyper-consolidation of the fishery into a few hands.

Coastal towns throughout New England rely on fishing as a fundamental source of employment, yet the relationships among fishery regulators, scientists, industry members, and environmental groups are more contentious in New England than in any other region of the country. Every one of the groups involved has played a role in the deterioration of these relationships, which in turn has led to the lack of trust among stakeholders in the region. Repairing the lines of communication between these groups is essential to developing best practices for the industry in this region.

This report evaluates where we have come in the last two years under sector management and what reforms are still needed to protect this industry, which is the economic lifeblood of so many and intrinsically tied to the cultural heritage of these communities.

This is the world we live in. This is the world we cover.

Because of people like you, another world is possible. There are many battles to be won, but we will battle them together—all of us. Common Dreams is not your normal news site. We don't survive on clicks. We don't want advertising dollars. We want the world to be a better place. But we can't do it alone. It doesn't work that way. We need you. If you can help today—because every gift of every size matters—please do. Without Your Support We Simply Don't Exist.

The Center for American Progress is a think tank dedicated to improving
the lives of Americans through ideas and action. We combine bold policy
ideas with a modern communications platform to help shape the national
debate, expose the hollowness of conservative governing philosophy, and
challenge the media to cover the issues that truly matter.

Further

Last week, the "world's most moral army" bombed and leveled Gaza's much-loved al-Meshal Theater and Cultural Center, rare home to hundreds of artists, dancers and writers and vital symbol of Palestinian identity, to "make residents feel the price of escalation." The next day, the Palestinian band al-Anqaa (or Phoenix) returned in defiance to play for their beleaguered neighbors, because "art is, too, a form of resistance."

Common Dreams brings you the news that matters.

Sign up for Newsletter

Connect With Us

Support Our Spring Fundraising Drive

Can We Count on Your Help Today?

Common Dreams is a small nonprofit with a big mission. Every day of the week, we publish the most important breaking news & views for the progressive community. To remain an independent news source, we do not advertise, sell subscriptions or accept corporate contributions. Instead, we rely on readers like you, to provide the "people power" that fuels our work. Please help keep Common Dreams alive by making a contribution to our fundraising drive. Thank you. - Craig Brown, Co-founder